October 2011

October 31, 2011

Do you doodle? I did, a little, little bit. But, after attending her class at Create Retreat, buying 2 copies of her book for my daughters, and after discovering her blog and inspiring work in all forms, I am doodling a lot more these days.

It's because when I doodle, I feel good, it warms up my creative juices (which flow much, much better when they're all warm & cozy and happy little campers), and I can do it with a pencil, a black pen, lots & lots of colored pens, or crayons. There are no rules. How fun is that?

October 28, 2011

I have had a long love affair, passionate love affair, with color and patterns - color and pattern make me feel good, and let's face it, we all want to feel good. It makes sense that my spirit led me to choosing a career in art & design with an intuitive sense about what works well with color and pattern.

The talented Kati Curtis talks about trend with Decor Mentor, saying "After attending What’s New What’s Next here in New York City last week, I was happy to see that pattern, craft, and color are trends that are here to stay. Minimalistic interiors might look great in magazines, but people seem to want comfort and meaning in their homes – especially now."

Pattern mixing, or also known as pattern blocking is very much on trend right now and this makes me oh-so-happy!

I could totally see designing a room around pattern blocking like this adorable child's room. It's sooooo sweet - I love it

This would be such a fun treatment for a a reading room, or studio wouldn't it?

I would place a mirror framed in a hand painted distressed wood frame instead of the gold one to soften the look just a touch.

There's an inherent playfulness in pattern blocking, and while a sophisticated look like this Chesterdale's Home & Garden vignette elgantly captures a vintage vagabond essence, I am more personally inclined toward playing up the playfulness of pattern blocking with bright, bold color, grounded in soft creamy white distressed finishes

Coordinated groups of fabrics and wallcoverings can make it simple to combine two or more patterns. But even if you do it yourself, remember that by varying the scale of your patterns, you can combine them with confidence.

Start with an existing carpet, wallpaper, or paint color. If you have nothing to start with, then search first for a favorite fabric to anchor your overall color scheme.

As a general rule, a good mix includes a small-, a medium-, and a large-scale pattern. Ideally, each pattern or the fabric's color should be repeated at least once in the room.

Mixing various types of patterns is a good way to get started. Think florals with stripes and checks.

Be careful with pattern on the walls. Before you buy wallpaper or do a paint technique, always look at it from a distance of at least ten feet so you'll have an idea how the pattern will look in a room. Because the first rule of thumb is to vary the scale, any wallpaper used on the wall should be stepped down in size from a pattern on upholstery or bedding.

Don't feel compelled to match colors perfectly. Choose colors that blend beautifully, and when set on the same neutral background, make the mix even more eye-pleasing. The bottom line: Make sure all of your patterns have at least one color that is similar, even if it is a background or neutral.

Finally, in a room with multiple patterns, make sure there's a place for the eye to rest. It could be as small as the lacy white pillow nestled into the chair. The pillow, poster, and other white accents also help separate and highlight the patterns.

A truly curated space is one that comes together and is crafted over time. Begin collecting patterned papers, wall paper samples, or fabric swatches for your unique vision of pattern blocking.

and quite think I'd like to create my version of this serene vignette in my room (no glass allowed in earthquake country!)

Mrs. Stevens owns the lovely on-line boutique The Inglenook Decor. She says she "believes that accents and accessories are the heart, soul and personality of your home bringing it to life and helping to tell a story about you." I must say I agree. It makes me think about the story my home tells. . . Hung above a hand painted bench on our front porch, I have a large hand painted sign that reads, "may you find happiness, love and laughter here." I hope my home conveys this message and that it is warm and welcoming to all who enter - for this is what I aspire to create within the walls we call home.

I know there are many of us who dream of a home like this:

or maybe a beach house, like this

with these lovely interiors. It really matters not what your home looks like, but the rare and precious gifts you fill it with . . . like happiness, love and laughter.

October 23, 2011

I've been making time to listen in on Oprah's Lifeclass sessions, recording the shows and viewing as my schedule allows.

Participation in this workshop continues as well. It's all good, good soul food, and as with any delicious meal we enjoy, we need to allow time to digest the bountiful harvest.

I have made a promise to myself . . .to experience what this means for me:

"Be still and know that I am God . . ." to simply show up and be still -

in the name of

self-compassion

self-kindness

and

self-love

I have promised myself to make time each day to be still - to show up and be still - to exercise and to meditate.

Whether I practice this or not, the other million and one demands that pull at me, will remain (some often unfinished) when dusk enters the horizon - but, to choose to be still for whatever small amount of time each day, will open my heart and my soul for greater possibility

We've added new products to the shop here - and will be adding more soon - and when you "like" our new business page on facebook, you receive a 10% discount on your entire purchase (enter code "iliketcd" at checkout). Thank you for helping us grow.

October 12, 2011

How are you feeling this autumn morning? As I continue in my journey toward ordinary courage (which, if curiosity get the better part of you, you may begin reading about here) I feel encouraged already.

Brene's work is steeped in understanding shame and developing shame resiliance. Processing shame can feel like carrying the daunting weight of a millstone and the exhilerating relief of being able to set it down . . .

to let it go -

When my daughter Katelyn was little, she often worried about so many things. These worries often came out at night, when all was still, and we'd be nestled in her bed awaiting the sweetness of sleep.

I encouraged her to imagine the waves of the ocean softly rolling in to take her worries out to sea. This worked for a while, then I realized she needed something more tangible, more concrete for her young mind to conceptualize "letting go" of her worries - so we purchased some balloons, wrote down her worries on small pieces of paper, folded and tucked them in to the balloons and set them free. She and I watched together as the balloons wafted off into the sky and the atmosphere on up to the heavens where God would hold them for her.

She was released from the burden of her worries, and freed up to be her sweet self.

Do you need to let go?

We have the power within us to let go of the

shame

sorrow

betrayal

anger

I hold the belief that the power in knowing we are created for something far greater is more powerful, and pure, than the power over any shame inducing experience.

When we choose to let go of these emotions we free ourselves to become who we were created to be, and avail ourselves to serve our higher purpose.

Forgive those who tresspass against us . . .

Today, I choose to let go of the past, I choose to let go of my perception that I need to hold a grievence against anyone for anything. Instead, I choose to see these people and these situations in love and light.

I choose to let go of all that I know (i.e. all the hurt, the shame, the sorrow, the betrayal, the anger) and in doing so, I release the hope that the past could be any different. It simply was . . .

The past does not define us but informs us.

Do you have balloons to fill with little notes to release today?

I love the healing power of music - may this speak to your heart today

I am packing light for this oh-so-special journey, leaving behind all that I know so that I may fill my heart with all that I need.

On my journey I am seeking soul reflection and restoration.

I want my bold steps not to take me from one place to another, instead to bring me towards owning my story and understanding that a sense of deep love and worthiness were meant to be mine from the moment I was born.

It is time

to embrace this wisdom, knowledge & understanding.

Today, my day's portion is filled with peace, and a sure hope for the future simply because I choose, just for today, to practice ordinary courage.